If you have a child who has been through preschool or kindergarten, then you probably have a piece of lovely pony bead jewelry that you must wear on occasion to keep that precious little face smiling. The bright colors, sparkle, and shine of pony beads bring the imagination to life prompting the questions of what to make and how long it will take to do so.

Pony beads are one of the most cost effective craft supplies you can buy. You can get them locally for just a couple of dollars (be sure to use a coupon at the craft store) or buy them online (usually in bulk and a lot cheaper). The translucent

and sparkle kinds work great for these projects; however, there are other types available such as the new glow in the dark pony beads.

In this project tutorial, you will learn how to make sun catchers and wind chimes. These projects are fast, easy, and create very little to no mess – all of which make them a favorite for the adults. For the kids, it is all about the fun they will have creating their special designs and spending time with you.

This project also makes great Christmas tree ornaments and package ties. The lights on the tree provide a beautiful glistening effect, while the vibrant colors of the disks give a homemade and heartfelt appearance to any gift. Consider embellishing or personalizing with metallic permanent markers or acrylic paint to enhance the final project.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place beads in a pan of your choice. Make sure beads are laid out in a single level with holes in beads facing upward. Try to fill all the space while keeping the beads flat.

Place the pan in the oven and bake approximately 30 minutes. The size of the pan will cause baking times to vary. The beads should be melted together to create a stained glass effect. Once completely melted, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.

Once cool, flip colored disks out. They should come out easily; however, you may have to lightly tap the bottom of the pan for them to release.

If needed, drill a small hole through the plastic disks for your ribbon or string.

To make a wind chime, use fishing line to create various lengths of disks. Tie to a painted stick, biscuit cutter, etc.

NOTE: There will be some smell from this project. The smell doesn’t seem to be too bad and doesn’t

linger too long. However, it is highly recommended that you turn on the stove vent if you have one. If not, open a window.

What other ideas can you imagine or create with this project? We’d love to see your pictures!

Have never heard of "Pony Beads" but want to try this with Grandson might be fun

Lainey344 - You should be able to find Pony Beads at just about any craft store. There are also several places online I usually shop for them (Amazon and Oriental Trading). These beads are generally quite cheap, and you can make so many things with them.

Cute and easy!
Great for Red Hat ladies a.k.a. grandmothers and ole ladies of a certain age....
How about using pans for minature cupcakes and fashion "statement" necklaces or earrings from red and purple pony beads?
Definitely a laff riot!

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